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First Posted: 3/23/2011
The South Abington Township Board of Supervisors stated at its March 14 meeting that it continues to request the Abington Regional Wastewater Authority to seek Requests for Proposals regarding all work necessary under the Regional Act 537 Plan.
According to the plan, the authority was given unfunded mandates to reconstruct its plant to meet more stringent Federal requirements for sewer systems. These requirements are part of the Chesapeake Bay Initiative which will help clean the Chesapeake Bay. In addition to the plant work, some major sewer line in the system will need to be rebuilt.
These renovations will cost an estimated $35 million and result in increased sewer user bills paid by South Abington, Clarks Summit and Clarks Green residents. The Board of Supervisors believes that by seeking Requests for Proposals, the authority would attain proper cost control while pursuing the Regional Act 537 Plan.
The board also requests that the authority agree to hold a public meeting for the South Abington, Clarks Summit and Clarks Green residents, at which time the sewer authority can explain its plans for the reconstruction of the plant and the sewer lines to the public.
The meeting would also serve as an open forum and give the public a chance to ask questions regarding the plan and become informed of what the renovations will mean to rate payers.
The board was presented with a draft Regional Act 537 Plan, which will move to the Township Planning Commission for review and approval once approved by the Township Supervisors. However, the board passed a motion not to move forward with the draft.
The Board requests the authority to make assurances that there will be Requests for Proposals for all contracts and any work relating to the Regional Act 537 Plan, as well as sponsor the multi-municipal public meeting.
The board also passed a motion to request that the authority contact federal legislators for possible federal funding.